New Zealand’s Refining NZ said that together with Fortescue Future Industries it is studying the “feasibility of production, storage, distribution, and export of industrial-scale green hydrogen from Marsden Point.” The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which is part of the company’s work on “identifying repurposing opportunities for Marsden Point, once refining operations cease.” Work on the study will begin in early 2022. Refining NZ has previously said that its Marsden Point refinery will transition to an import-only fuel terminal from April 2022. In November 2021, the company’s board took the final investment decision confirming the change of operations to a terminal called Channel Infrastructure. In the next four months, the company will focus on “the ongoing operation of our refinery” and the “safe shutdown and decommissioning of refinery assets. BP Australia is undertaking a feasibility study into the production of green hydrogen at the site of the Kwinana refinery. It will work on the project in partnership with Macquarie Capital and with funding from the Western Australian government. The company plans to repurpose the site as a clean energy hub, “which will include the production of renewable fuels,” it said. BP also said it was “already underway with plans to develop a renewable fuels plant at the site, producing sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.” BP announced its plan to shut the refinery in October 2020 and wind down refining activities over the following six months. Refining activities were completed.
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said it had inaugurated “its world-class import terminal” in Tabangao, Philippines, after transforming the closed Tabangao refinery into a terminal. The refinery has been shut since May 2020, having been idled due to weak domestic product demand, and was permanently shut in August 2020. Australia’s Viva Energy welcomed the federal government’s announcement of a fuel security package and, as part of this, will make a six-year commitment to maintain refining operations at Geelong through to June 2027 with a further three-year option to extend until June 2030. The company decided to avoid the closure of Geelong after taking up a payment lifeline extended by the government, which lasted from January-July. Refineries that took part in the grant had to agree to maintain operations at least during the tenure of the program. The fuel security service payment started July 1 and will run until June 2027 by providing support at lower margins. Sri Lanka’s Sapugaskanda refinery will resume operations Jan. 26, according to a local media report on Newsfirst citing the energy ministry. The refinery temporarily closed from Jan. 3, due to shortage in foreign currency for the purchase of crude oil and was expected to resume operations. Mongolia is aiming to complete the construction of its maiden refinery project in 2025,